Having lived in Naples I am embarrassed to say that it has taken us 16 years to drive to Sanibel and Captiva only 1.5 hours away. Having been cooped up inside for 2 months we thought, let’s take a drive and see the island and go visit Sea Oats. During a time of COVID where international travel may not be possible right away, this is a great alternative for families who want to escape close to home, but still over some seclusion and privacy. Sea Oats is a private estate in Captiva that we love for our families, weddings and cooperate retreats.
Another great property that is a drivable destination from Naples, Florida is the Cloister at Sea Island. Depending on how many times you stop it takes about 6-8 hours to get there by car. Great place to go if you are not ready to hop on a plane just yet. If you have a private jet, that would be another option to fly in to St. Simons Island. Sea Island also pairs well with Montage Palmetto Bluff if you wanted to add some dimension to your trip. When we stayed there we were in a room in the Cloister. This building exudes traditional elegance.
Inn at Palmetto Bluff was the first stop on our roadtrip to Vermont. We braved the long trip with a toddler and set off on the road. Emma did surprisingly well although we did have Winnie the Poo on a loop in the backseat for her as well as many games and toys to rotate.
Inn at Palmetto Bluff was tucked away in Bluffington South Carolina and is sort of its own little town. They have lots of restaurants and even a little grocery store. The landscaping was incredible and Will was very happy to walk the grounds and take pictures.
Skyterra is really a very special place and not very well known. I was lucky to learn about Skyterra while attending a wellness conference in Palm Beach a few months ago, and decided as a wellness specialist it was important for me to see and experience it firsthand. Having been to several wellness resorts over the past few years I feel like Skyterra is not your cookie cutter experience. The number of guests is small and plan to keep it that way. You feel like you are getting a more personalized experience and form a very tight bond with the other guests.
ROOMS: The rooms at the Miami Beach Edition are very clean and bright with lots of whites and beige. We love their rooms with oceanfront views and a balcony to sit and listen to the waves. The glass is very sound proof so if there is anything going on outside the noise wont travel into the rooms. The rooms have a modern look with plush furniture and the amenities you would want in a five star hotel.
ROOMS: Not a bad view in the house. There are several buildings of guest rooms all with three-four stories, one of which is adults only, for those traveling without kids. All three buildings offer a water view due to the location on the isthmus. The rooms were very spacious all offering a nice lanai to sit out and relax on their plush lounge furniture with views of the bay or ocean mixed with tropical forest scenery. This is a great place to spot the howler monkeys or many species of bird.
We hear people say, “Travel as much as you can before you have kids” and although that has its own perks, vacations with the family can be both enjoyable and memorable for everyone. A few important reasons why you should pack up and travel with the fam:
The world is enormous. Spending time away from your home, where nobody knows you, makes you realize the world is much bigger than your hometown. Being able to step away from life as you know it helps to realize you’re a small fish in a very big sea.
ROOMS: The rooms have a modern classic style and for the best view get an oceanfront room. Those who like the feel of a smaller boutique hotel, a must try is the Flagler Club! Check in is totally separate and all rooms have been completed renovated. For a stylish and high tech luxurious accommodation. The Flager Club has its own concierge to take care of all of your needs and creative and delicious food presentations throughout the day.
